Event: Lovely So Real, the
Renaissance Society Gala and AuctionCrowd: Edgy art lovers,
design-industry peepsWhy You're
Going: It's like MCA's First Fridays with better booze. Plus, while art speculators
are looking for a steal at the silent auction, you'll have a chance to work your own kind of artistry on
that young gallerist you've been eyeing.

Event: Green Tie Ball XVII,
benefiting Chicago Gateway GreenCrowd: Pretty young things clad in
creative spins on the green themeWhy You're
Going: You have a knack of getting lucky at these things—and now you can
double down James Bond-style at the Horseshoe Casino gaming tent, which promises to be the highlight of this
year's 3,000-person-strong affair.

Event: The Modern Ball in the Modern WingCrowd: People who hang Picassos in
their bathroomsWhy You're
Going: This is history in the making—the first chance to view the Renzo
Piano-designed Modern Wing. But you may want to play it cool until Nov. 8 when the Auxiliary Board hosts a
gala with a crowd promising to be, shall we say, a bit more modern.

Event:Top Chef Chicago,
a benefit for chef Art Smith's Common ThreadsCrowd: Not-too-serious
foodiesWhy You're
Going: The food at this event is the only thing strictly black tie, so you can give
that tux a night off. With an all-star Top Chef lineup, you'll be sated. In the kitchen: Stephanie
Izard, Dale Levitski, Dale Talde, Lisa Fernandez, Valerie Bolon, Spike Mendelsohn and Sara Nguyen.